Building wall



Feb. 16, 1943. J. c. HAIN 2,311,170

BUILDING WALL F11ed Feb. 18, 1941 :s sheets-sheet 1 Y A HAK/971s, Knie/sf, Fos T51? cH/mns J. C. HAIN BUILDING WALL Filed Feb. 18, 1941 .3 Shefts`Sheet 2 /O d ME l 5 i n4 56 /M M F mm; w u, d fw. II\T f. @w n 5 6.

Feb. 16, 1943. y

Patented Feb- 16, 1943 UNITED stares" rastrear orgies 2,311,170 eUrLmNG WALL `lames C. Hain, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 18, 1941, Serial No. 379,431

2s claims. (ci. zo-i) i My invention relates to buildings and is directed specifically to an improved construction for building Walls and partitions. A feature of my new wall construction is that it may be embodied with outstanding advantages in the arcuate wall for prefabricated walls, which elements are suitable for mass production at 10W labor cost. A further object in this regard is to provide a wall structure suitable for prefabrication which may be assembled from stock elements with ordinary mechanical skill, no highly specialized skill being?- required.

In my copending application, identified above, I apply the arch principle to the structure of a wall as a whole.

ciple to the individual panels of a wall regardless of whether or not the Wall itself forms an arch. One object *of the present invention in this respect is to provide a panel assembly in a, Wall in which two bowed elements are in mutual oppor 35 sition to serve as arches for mutual reinforcement. More specifically, it is my object to provide a combination Ain which two wall elements are held in bowed disposition by edgewise compression between two spaced studs and are con-filo structed and arranged to transmit stress to each other whereby each bowed element serves as an arch to resist stresses tending to distort the other.

Further specic objects relating to such a panell l5 assembly are: to provide means for holding the spaced studs in a manner to cooperate with the bowed elements; to provide such a panel assembly that includes longitudinal spacer means Y to fix the spacing of the studs and thereby pre- 50 determine the degree to which the bowed elements are compressed from edge to edge; to providesuitable means in the panel assembly for the transmission of stresses from one bowed element 'light weight elements of inexpensive material Underlying the present inven tionis the conception of applying the arch prin-2 130' such stress-transmitting means that permits adjustment in the assembly process and subsequently as may be required; and to provide such a panel assembly that is hollow and readily accessible from above for the insertion of insulating material.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying. drawings.

.In the drawings, which are to be considered as illustrative only:

Fig. l is a plan view of a building construction in accord with one practice of my invention, the roof and selected portions of the building being omitted for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical ysection of the building taken as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig.,3 is a horizontal section at a corner of the building shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a portion of the wall of the building on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the Wall portion shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. `6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken as indicated by the line 6- 6 of Fig. 2;

y Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig, 8 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modification of the wall structure;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 9; 4 4

Fig. 11 is a transverse Vertical section through the wall of 10 in the course of construction;

Fig. l2 is a greatly enlarged section similar to Fig. ll showinga temporary disposition of cooperating elements;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line I3-I3 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary elevation oi" a second modification of my wall construction;

Fig. 15 is aL horizontal section taken as indicated by the line l5--l5of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary plan of a third modification of my Wall structure;

Fig. 17 is an elevation of the Wall Structure shown in Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 kis a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line I8-I8 of Fig. 17.

rEhe building shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is rectanto the cooperating bowed element; to provide 55 guiar in general conguration, the walls meetwall stresses.

ing at junctures corresponding to the corners of a rectangle but the outer walls generally designated 2E) are arcuate in plan, each wall curving inward toward the building corners. The outer walls 2l! of the building are constructed on what may be termed the hoop-and-stave principle as taught by the aforementioned copending application, to which reference is to be made for more detailed discussion.

The principal elements of the cuter walls 23 include spaced vertical studs 2|, panel assemblies generally designated 22 alternating with the studs, a rst series of interior arcuate stifeners 23 at an elevated level, a second series of interior arcuate stiffeners 24 at a low level, and means acting in tension to hold the stud and panel assemblies against the interior stiffeners 23 and 24. In the instant construction the means acting in tension comprises sets of tension rods 25 (Fig. 2) and interconnecting cast-iron shoes 21 at the corners of the building (Fig. 1) It is apparent that the assembled tension rods act in the manner of continuous hoops encircling the building and that the studs 2| and the panel assemblies 22 are crowded together to make a unitary assemblage in the same manner that the staves Vof a barrel are pressed into mutual cooperative relation by a barrel hoop. Each of the outer side walls r2l] is in effect a horizontally curved arch and functions in the manner of an arch to resist lateral loads. The arch conguration of each wall is maintained by the corresponding upper and lower arcuate stiffeners 23 and 24, and the tension rods 2S acting against theends of each side wall serve to anchor` the ends of each of the horizontal arch combinations.

The arcuate stiileners 23 may be supported by suitable brackets 23 on some of the studs 2| and may be adjustably interconnected at the corners of the building by corner plates 3l). For internal bracing, diagonal tie-rods 3| may be connected to the corner plates. The second series of arcuate stiffeners 24 at a lower level may comprise simply boards of the same configuration securely mounted on the permanent hoor 32 of the building. The roof 33 shown in Fig. 2 may be of any suitable construction.

The studs 2| are spaced far enough apart to accommodate windows and doors for the building, and special window panels and door panels are incorporated in the building walls wherever required. Since the construction of such panels is not a part of the present invention, it is sufficient to state that they include window frames..

or door frames of rigid construction and have` suiiicient strength in compression to carry the Fig. l shows window panels 35 in the outer walls 2li, a door panel 35 in one of the outer walls, and a door panel 31 in a straight interior wall 38 that divides the building into two the other side. lIn other words, the bowed member that cooperates with a curved wall plate in a' panel assembly may be a second and similar wall plate or may be some simple reinforcing member disposed to function as an arch. My

basic concept further comprehends either outwardly or inwardly bowed elements in a panel, provided the bowed elements are arranged to transmit stresses to each other. If the arched elements in the panel assembly are bowed toward each other, compression members may be employed tointerrelate the two elements, but if the arched elements are bowed outwardly they are interconnected by lateral tension means.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 5, each of the panel assemblies generally designated 22 includes two of the spaced studs 2|, a bowed plate 4i) en one face of the wall, and a series of four spaced bowed reinforcing strips 4| on the opposite face of the wall. rhe plate 42 and the strips 4| may be engaged with the studs in any suitable manner, for example, by extending into vertical grooves 42 in the studs as best shown in Fig. 4. The plate lil and the reinforcing strips 4l may be constructed of any suitable, material in the various practices of my invention, but preferably a material providing a desirable degree of flexibility. lt is contemplated that plywood will be widely employed for the wallV plates. A single plate il extending from ceiling to floor or a number of plates placed edge-to-edge may be used in each panel assembly.

As indicated in Figs. 4 and 5, the consecutive studs in a wall are interconnected in pairs by panel tension members 43 in the form of rods extending through suitable bores in the studs and provided with suitable washers 45 and nuts 16 for engagement with the studs. Preferably the panel tension members 43 are disposed between the various reinforcing strips 4| and the bowed plate 4Q so that each tension rod serves as a spacer between the reinforcing strips and the plate as well as means for transmitting stress at the midpoint of the panel from the plate to the reinforcing strips or vice versa. Additional spacer means for the transmission of stress are required at other points to cause the bowed elements to serve effectively as arches in support of each other, and such additional means may comprise suitably shaped blocks 41 mounted on the reinforcing strips 4| at the quarter points of the panels. It is apparent that the panel tension member 43 and the two blocks 41 between a reinforcing strip 4| and the plate 40 provide three points of stress transmission through which the bowed reinforcing strip 4| may by its arched configuration resist any stresses tending to increase the curvature of the plate 4&1, and through which, on the other hand, the plate 4i) may resist by its arched configuration any forces tending to increase the curvature of the reinforcing strip.

In applying this wall structure to the building shown in Fig. l, special corner studs 43 are employed having the configuration indicated in Fig. 3. Preferably the corner studs 48 are provided with counterbores 5l) and suitable plugs 5| to conceal the ends of the panel tension members 43 and to provide weather protection for the ends of the panel tension members.

One feature of the present invention as applied to the construction of the outer walls 20 of the building shown in Fig. 1 is that the function of the exterior tension rods 26 that hoop the building may be taken over by the panel tension members 43 and the exterior tension rods 25 omitted entirely. It is essential, of course, that panel tension members 43 extend across each of the window panels 35 and door panels 35 to make the series of panel tension members 43 continuous around the building.

' bolts 52.

The hoop-and-stave principle is preserved if the external tension rods are eliminated, but the hoop elements are concealed within the walls and the elements that act in tension around the building to hold the panels against the arcuate stiifeners 23 and 24 also act within each panel to hold the opposed bowed panel elements in arched' configuration. It is to be furthernoted that the external tie-rods 26 in Fig. 1 serve in vcooperation with the arcuate stiffeners 23 and 24 to anchor the studs 2| in positions conforming to the desired wall configuration while permitting adjustment of the studs relative to each other as required for the desired edgewise compression of the bowed panel elements. If the external tension rods 26 are omitted, this function of adjustably anchoring the studs 2l is likewise taken over by the panel tension members 43.

If the invention is embodied in a straight wall such as the wall 38 in Figs. 1 and 2, it is desirable to anchor the various studs 2| in some suitable manner, preferably a manner providing for some range of adjustment of the individual studs longitudinally of the wall. The studs, for

example, may be adjustably anchored by means' shown in Figs. 6, '7, and 8. At the approximate location-of each stud 2| in the straight wall 33, two pairs of bolts 52 are permanently embedded in the floor 32. Special brackets 55 are attached to opposite sides of the studs 2l at floor level for adjustable engagement with the pairs of In the construction shown, each bracket 55 has a pair oi laterally disposed slots 56 for adjustable .engagement by a pair of bolts 51 extending through the stud 2| and has a pair of parallel longitudinally disposed slots 53 to adjustably receive the oor bolts 52. In assembling the wall 38 the panel assemblies are put together in sequence, the panel tension members 43 of each panel being tightened before the next panel is assembled. When the desired final disposition of a stud 2l is ascertained in the assembly procedure, nuts Bil are tightened on the bolts 5l extending through the studs and nuts 6| are likewise tightened on the floor bolts 52, the stud then being adequately anchored to the floor. Other anchoring devices permitting the required latitude in locating the studs may be employed.

In the practice of the invention exemplified by Figs. 9-13, two plates 65, preferably sheets of laminated wood, are bowed inward between consecutive studs 56 to form opposite faces of the wall. In this particular construction the consecutive studs 65 are interconnected in pairs by panel tension members 6l in the forni of small rods as previously described, but the rods carry what may be termed longitudinal spacers 68 that limit the spacing of the studsrelative to each other and thereby limit the extent to which the two plates S5 are bowed under tightening of the panel tension members. The longitudinal spacers 63 may be strips of wood suspended from the panel tension members byV staples or wire loops l0. An additional strip of wood 69 may be placed on the floor between the studs 56 to serve as a longitudinal spacer.

As in the previously described panel assembly, it is desirable to provide means intermediate the two plates 65 for the transmission of stresses from plate to plate whereby the plates may serve as arches to reinforce each other, andit is l desirable that such stress-transmitting means be adjustable in effective dimension, especially since the longitudinal spacers 68 x the minimum clearance between the two bowed plates. As best shown in Fig. l1, the adjustable stresstransmitting means may 'include spaced wedges 1l mounted on ya vertical strip `l2 and similar wedges 'i3 mounted on a second vertical strip 15. Preferably the cooperating wedges are adapted to engage each other in a sliding manner to maintain vertical alignment and for this purpose each of the wedges 1l may be cut to form a groove 1S into which the cooperating wedge I3 seats in a sliding manner.

The strip 2 is nailed or otherwies attached to one of the plates G5 prior to installation of the plate in the panel assembly, and the second strip l5 is temporarily secured in cooperating relation with the first strip. For example, the second strip may be anchored in place by light nails or by loops of string 'Vl as indicated in Fig. 12. It will be noted in Fig. 12 that the wedge I3 on the strip 'l5 is initially olfset upward from the corresponding wedge 'Il on the strip 'l2 and at this point inthe assembly procedure, the strip l5 correspondingly protrudes above the upper edge of the plate as indicated by dotted lines at 'i3 in Fig. 11.

While any number of the pairs of strips with wedges may be employed in a panel assembly, Figs. 9 and 10 show three sets, a central set Si) along the mid point of the panel and two sets 8l at the quarter points of the panel. Wedges on the central set 8E have the cross-sectional configuration shown in Fig. 13 but the wedges of the quarter point sets 8l are shaped as indicated in Fig. 9 to conform to the conguration of the divergent plates 55. After the panel tension members l are suitably tightened to force the studs SS against the various longitudinal spacers G8, the protruding upper ends i8 of the three strips 'l5 of the panel assembly are driven downward to cause the various wedges 13 to move downward relative to the cooperating wedges Il. Initial downward movement of the Wedges 13, of course, breaks the strings l1 as shown in Fig. 13, but connement of the wedges of thebowed plates i5 keeps the wedges in alignment with each other. When the strips l5 are driven downward ly to the desired degree to cause each pair of Wedges to serve eifectively as means .in compression between the two cooperating plates 65. a few nails may be used to anchor the strips 'l5 peru manently, and any protruding portion i@ visible above the upper edges of the plate t5, may be sawed olf. Preferably the paired wedges 'ii and 13 register with each other in their final dispositions. The dotted lines in Fig. 12 indicate the ultimate positions of the wedges and indicate the manner in which the strip-and-wedge assembly expands in thickness.

In the panel assembly shown in Figs. 14 and 15 two plates are bowed inwardly between consecutive studs BE, and the consecutive studs are interconnected in pairs by suitable panel tension members 8l. Preferably a longitudinal spacer in the form of a pipe or tube 88 extends between the two studs 56, the pipe being mounted on one of the panel tension members 8i. Other longitudinal spacers 85 of wood may be used near the top and bottom of the wall if desired.

The adjustable means for stress transmission between the plates S5 may comprise a pair of wedge members in the form of parallel vertical wedge strips Sil, bored to clear the panel tension members Si and the pipe 88. In the initial stages of the erecting of each panel assembly, the wedge strips SU are loosely supported by the panel tension members 81, but later the wedge strips are drawn toward each other by tightening a plurality of interconnecting tie-rods 9| carrying nuts 92. As indicated in Fig. 14 the studs 86 are provided with apertures 93 through which a workman may insert a long socket wrench for nal tightening of the tie-rods 9| to make the panel assembly rigid.

In the last form of the invention shown in Figs. 16, 17, and 18, each panel assembly includes a pair of outwardly bowed plates 95 engaging vertical grooves 86 in spaced studs 91. The studs 91 are connected consecutively in pairs by vertically spaced panel tension members 98 and on which strips of wood I may be mounted by staples IUI to serve as longitudinal spacers between the studs. In this form of the invention the means for transmitting stresses between the bowed plates 95 comprises suitable lateral tension members, for example, suitable bolts I2 interconnecting the bowed plates in the manner best shown in Fig. 18. In the particular construction shown, each bolt |82 extends through and engages a pair of special washers [.03 that seat in a water-tight manner in complementary apertures in the two bowed plates S5, the washers having suitable anges |55 to engage the outer faces of the bowed plates.

It is apparent that each of the various de-A scribed embodiments of the basic conception pro-- vides a statically determinate panel assembly in which only a few structural members functionally cooperate to provide maximum rigidity. The panel assembly in the rst form of the invention shown in Figs. l, 2, 4, and 5 is the least expensive of the described forms but is structurally efcient. The other ypanel assemblies provide the same appearance from both sides of the wall and being hollow may be and preferably are lled with suitable insulating material. Each of the three forms of the double-plate panel assembly shown in Figs. 9, 15 and 16 respectively is sufciently accessible from the top to permit the insertion of the insulating material after the panel assembly is com-,-

pleted.

An important feature of the panel assembly having opposed wall plates, especially the concave panel assemblies, is that the assemblies have exceptional rigidity under diagonal loads. Each ofl the panel assemblies is, in effect, a beam of exceptional depth. The structure will withstand, for example, exceedingly high stresses applied at one corner of the panel assembly and directed toward the diagonally opposite corner. It is vappar-V ent that a building constructed in accord with my invention is a great deal lighter than an equivalent building of conventional construction and in which the walls are stiflened by 2" x 4" diagonals; and yet the stiffness or the resistance to lateral and diagonal stresses of the lighter building with double arched panels greatly exceeds the stiffness or resistance afforded by the equivalent conventional building of heavier construction. The described Wall structures are especially suitable for two or three story buildings in which relatively great stillness is required in the rst story.

The specic embodiments and practices of my invention set forth herein in specic detail for the purpose of disclosure and to illustrate the principles involved will suggest to those skilled .in the art various substitutions and modiiications under my basic concept; and I reserve the right to all such departures from the described construction 'that properly come within the scope of my appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A wall for a building comprising: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs to form an arched wall panel; a plurality of members likewise bowed under edgewise compression between pairs of the studs, each of said members being bowed oppositely to the corresponding plate and being adapted to receive and resist stresses tending to distort said plate; means interconnecting said studs in tension to resist the edgewise pressure of said plates yand members against the studs; and longitudinal spacers interposed between the consecutive studs to minimize the spacing between the studs and thereby limit the bowing of said plates and members.

2. A wall for a. building comprising: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs to form a concave wall panel; a plurality of members bowed inwardly from the opposite face of the wall under edgewise compression between pairs of the studs to serve as arches to oppose increased bowing of the corresponding plates; and means interposed between said plates and members for the transmission of stresses between the plates and members, said interposed means including adjustable wedge means.

3. A wall for a building comprising: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of first plates alternating with said studs to form one face of the wall, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs; and a plurality of oppositely bowed second plates paired with said rst plates to form the other face of the wall, each plate of said pairs of plates exerting pressure toward the other plate of the pair, whereby each plate serves as an arch to resist stresses tending to increase the bowing of the other plate of the pair.

4. A wall for a building comprising: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of i'lrst plates alternating with said studs to form one face of the wall, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs; a plurality of oppositely bowed second plates paired with said rst plates to form the other face of the wall, each plate of said pairs of plates exerting pressure toward the other plate of the pair, whereby each plate serves as an arch to resist stresses tending to increase the bowing of the other plate of the pair; means interconnecting said studs in tension to resist the edgewise pressure of said plates against the studs;

and compression members inserted between each pair of plates for the transmission of stress from plate to plate.

5. A wall for a building constructed as set forth in claim 3 that includes longitudinal spacers interposed between studs toy minimize the spacing between the studs.

6. A wall for abuilding as set forth in claim 3 in which said means interconnecting said studs in tension are disposed between said pluralities of plates and in which said compression members are movable for adjustment.

7. A wall for a building as set forth in claim 3 in which said compression members are movable wedge members.

necting saidplates with the correspondingmenibers to transmit stresses therebetweenwhereby said members serve` as arches to resist stresses tending to increase the bowing of said plates and vice versa, said tension means being adjustable from the exterior of the wall.

9. In a wall for a building, the combination of:`

a Vplurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed under edgewise compression between successive studs; a plurality of members likewise bowed under edgewise compression between successive studs; lateral spacing means extending between each of said plates and one of saidV members to transmit stresses therebetween and to fix the local spacing therebetween,V each of said members being bowed oppositely to the corresponding plate whereby each of said plates by transmitting stress through one of said lateral spacing means opposes bowing of the corre-` sponding member and vice Versa, said lateral spacing means being variable with respect to said local spacing; and means to vary said variable spacing meansbetween successive studs to vary said local spacing between a plate and a corre-V sponding member after the plate and member are positioned for forming a panel between the successive studs.

10. In a wall for a building; the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; means in tension tending to crowd said studs together; longitudinal spacer means supported by said tension means and extending between the successive studs to determine the minimum spacing between the successive studs; at least one plate spanning the space between each pair of successive studs to form a surface of the wall, said plate, being bowed under edgewise compression between the studs; at least one member spanning the space between each pair of successive studs, said member being bowed oppositely to the corresponding plate; and lateral spacer means extending between each of said bowed plates and the corresponding bowed member to transmit stresses therebetween and to x the local spacing therebetween, whereby each plate acting through the corresponding lateral spacer means opposes bowing of the corresponding member and conversely the corresponding member acting through the lateral spacer means opposes bowing of the plate.

11. In a wall for a building, the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; means in tension interconnecting said studs successively to determine the maximum spacing across the successive studs; longitudinal spacer means extending between the successive studs to determine the minimum spacing between the successive studs; at least one plate spanning the space between each pair of successive studs to form a surface of the wall, said plate being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between the pair of successive studs; variable spacer means lying against the inner face of said plate; at least one member spanning the space between each pair of studs, said member being bowed inwardly against the corresponding spacer means thereby opposing the. inward bowing of the corresponding plate; and means operable from the exterior. of. the wall panel defined by each pair of said studs to expand said variable spacer means in the panel in opposition to the corresponding bowed plate Iand corresponding bowed memberl2, I n av Wall for a building, the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; Iat .least one plate spanning the space between each pair of successive studs to form a surface of theA wall, said plate being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between ,the pair of studs; variable spacer v means lying against the inner face of said plate; at least one member spanning the space between each pair ci successive studs, said member being bowed inwardly against the corresponding spacer means thereby opposing the vinward bowing of the cOrresponding plate; and means operable` from the exterior of the wall panel defined by each pair of said studs to expand said variable spacer means in the panel in opposition to the corresponding bowed plate and the corresponding bowed member. ,Y

13. In a wall for a building, the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed .under edgewise compression between successive studs; a plurality of members likewise bowed under `edge wise compression between successive studs; lateral Yspacing means extending between each of said plates and one of said members to transmit stresses therebetween andY to lnx the local` spacing therebetween, each of said members being bowed oppositely to the corresponding plate whereby each of said plates by transmitting stress through one of said lateral spacing means opposes bowingof the -correspcndiris member and Vite versa, said lateral spacing means beine movable in a, plane substantially parallel with the .plane of the wall to vary said locall spacing; and means to move each of Ysaid Variable spacing means between each pair voi studs to vary said local spacing between thewc'orresponding plate and they corresponding member after the plate and member are positioned for forming a panel between the pair Of studs.

14. In a wall for a building, the combination of a pluralityof spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise cornpression between successive studs; a plurality of members likewise bowed inwardlyunder edgewise compression between successive studs; lateral spacing means ,extending between eaehpf said plates. and one of said members thereby toY -x the local spacing therebetween and causing the bow'ing'of the plate to oppose the bowing of the` corresponding member and vice Versa, said lateralV spacing means being movable inV a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the-wall to various' positions to vary said local spacing; and means to move said lateral spacing means fin said plane to increase the local y spacing between the plate Hand the member associated therewith after the plate and 4member -arefposiiioned for forming a panel betweentthe .successive Sinds-:-

l5. In a wall for ajbuilding, the combination ol: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between successive studs; a plurality of members likewise bowed inwardly toward said plates under edgewise compression between successive studs; and at least two wedge means interposed between each of said plates and one of said members to transmit stresses therebetween and to limit the local spacing therebetween, said two wedge means being adapted for movement relative to each other for varying said local spacing.

16. In a wall for a building, the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between a pair of successive studs; a plurality of members alternating with said studs, each of said memberslbeing bowed inwardly toward one of said plates under edgewise compression between a pair of successive studs; 'at least two wedge means interposed between each of said plates and one of said members to transmit stresses therebetween and to limit the local spacing therebetween, said two wedge means being adapted for movement relative to each other for varying said local spacing; and means to cause relative movement between the two of said wedge means associated with each of said plates to tighten the assembly between the corresponding successive studs after the plates and members are positioned to form a panel between the two studs.

17. In a wall for a building, the combination of: a plurality of spaced studs; at least one plate spanning the space between each pair of successive studs to form a surface of the wall, said plate being bowed inwardly under edgewise compression between the pair of studs; at least one member spanning the space between each pair of successive studs, said member being bowed inwardly toward the corresponding plate under edgewise compression between the studs; a pair of wedge means interposed as a spacer between each of said plates and one of said members; and means operatively connected to at least one of said wedge means to cause movement thereof relative to the other wedge means for varying the local spacing between the corresponding plate and member.

18. In a wall for a building, a panel comprising in combination: two spaced upright studs forming the ends of the panel; at least one plate bowed inwardly from one side of the panel under edgewise compression between the studs to form a wall surface; at least one member bowed inwardly toward said plate from the opposite side of the panel under edgewise compression between the studs; a plurality of pairs of relatively movable wedge means interposed between said bowed plate or plates and bowed member or members to serve as variable spacer means therebetween at various'points of the panel; and means operatively connected to a, plurality of said pairs of wedge means to cause relative movement in the plurality of pairs of wedge means simultaneously.

19. In a wall for a building, a panel comprising in combination: two spaced upright supports forming the ends of the panel; at least one plate bowed inwardly from one side of the panel under edgewise compression between said supports to form a wall surface on one face of the panel; at least one member bowed inwardly toward said CFI plate froml the opposite face of the panel under edgewise compression between the supports; a i-lrst plurality of wedge means lying between said plate or plates and one or more of said bowed members; a second plurality of relatively movable wedge means interposed between said plate or plates and one or more of said bowed members, said 'iirst plurality of wedge members being paired with said second plurality of wedge members to form variable spacer means between said plate or plates and the corresponding one or more bowed members; and means supporting one of said plurality of wedge members, said wedge-supporting means extending in a plane substantially parallel with the plane of the panel and being movable in said plane to vary the relative positions of the pairs of wedge members thereby to vary the spacing between the plate or plates and the associated bowed member or members.

20. In a wall for a building, a panel as set forth in claim 19 in which said wedge supporting means extends in a generally vertical direction and is adjustable from one edge of the panel.

21. In a wall for a building, a panel comprising in combination: two spaced upright supports forming the ends of the panel; at least one plate bowed inwardly from one side of the panel under edgewise compression between said supports to form a wall surface; at least one member bowed inwardly toward said plate from the opposite side of the panel under edgewise compression between the supports; two spaced upright wedge members interposed as spacers between said plate or plates and said one or more bowed members to serve as spacer means therebetween, said wedge members lying on opposite sides of the vertical center line of the panel; and means adjustably interconnecting said two wedge members to vary the spacing therebetween.

22. In a wall for a building, a panel as set forth in claim 21 in which an aperture is provided for access to said interconnecting means for adjustment thereof after the panel is assembled.

23. In a wall for a. building, the combination of: a. plurality of spaced studs; means crowding said studs toward each other; longitudinal spacer means interposed between the consecutive studs to minimize the spacing between the studs; a plurality of plates alternating with said studs, each of said plates being bowed outward toward one side of the wall under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs; a plurality of members alternating with said studs, each of said members being bowed outward toward the other side of the wall under edgewise compression between a pair of the studs; and means in tension interconnecting each of said plates with one of said members between the same pair of studs to transmit stresses from the bowed plate directly to the bowed member and vice versa whereby the plate serves as an arch to resist stresses tending to increase the bowing of the member and vice versa, said tension means being adjustable from the exterior of the wall to adjust the thrust of vthe plate and the member against the studs.

JAMES C. HAIN. 

